150 OUT OF DOORS. 



each choosing its own corner for that purpose. The 

 method in which a -toad ensconces itself is rather 

 curious. Supposing, for example, that it wishes to 

 burrow into the base of a small mound, it begins by 

 finding some small part where the earth is tolerably 

 loose. It then plants the extremity of the back against 

 the mound, wriggles about in a position that reminds the 

 observer of the green crab shovelling itself under the 

 sand, and pushes the earth from beneath it with the 

 hind feet, passing it forwards under the body, where it 

 is taken up by the fore-feet and put out of the way. 

 Inadequate as the means may seem the soft, skinny 

 feet of the toad being apparently the worst spades that 

 could well be devised the creature will sink itself 

 below the ground in a wonderfully short space of time. 

 It is remarkable that a toad never enters its hole 

 except by backing into it at least, I have never seen 

 one do so, whether it be at liberty or in confinement. 



Having fairly established themselves, they looked 

 out for food, although, with all of their kin, they were 

 capable of sustaining a very prolonged fast without any 

 apparent inconvenience. As at that time I was living 

 in the very heart of London, it was not easy to procure 

 the proper kind of food for the toads, who feed wholly 

 upon living creatures, and will touch nothing that does 

 not move. However, I contrived to bring home a 

 miscellaneous collection in several boxes, and tried ex- 

 periments with them. 



They would eat earthworms, provided that they 



